Ayanbadejo Signs 3 Year Deal

[wolfpack]

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/ayanbadejo-stays-put-with-the-ravens/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/ayanbadejo-stays-put-with-the-ravens/[/url]
So we are getting better at Special Teams with Ayanbadejo and Graham now. But then again it couldn't be worse.

[POE]

Great move. Continues to solidify our ST's and keeps depth around. He had some good moments when Lewis and Ellerbe were out.

[izvoodoo]

He actually had a good AFCG too, covering Hernandez on a few plays. Not like he was perfect, but good coverage for a LB.

[BloodRaven]

Special Teams wins Championships!

No but seriously, the guy will be 36 this year. Why not give his spot to a young linebacker with upside?

[Gtown Purple]

Securing our weakest link last year. Now we need a solid returner.

[CapoRocky]

I like the ST moves. Two more areas of need: KR/PR and K.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1332515954' post='1032124']Special Teams wins Championships!

No but seriously, the guy will be 36 this year. Why not give his spot to a young linebacker with upside?[/quote]

Because championship caliber teams don't just give spots away. As mentioned above BA also plays in Nickel packages, so a young guy with upside will have to push him off the roster.

If a guy like Bynes sets up and prove he can handle the position, then much like Carr, that 3 year deal won't be quite that long.

[FerrariFan87]

Solid move, not flashy. Just like Ozzie likes it. Depth at LB and secures STs. Nothing not to like about it really.

Next we need to bring back Jameel McClain.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1332516973' post='1032143']
Solid move, not flashy. Just like Ozzie likes it. Depth at LB and secures STs. Nothing not to like about it really.

Next we need to bring back Jameel McClain.
[/quote]

McClain will be back.

[wolfpack]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1332517156' post='1032146']

McClain will be back.
[/quote]

Not so sure about that. We have close to nothing left in cap room.

[theblackdog]

I'm happy to hear this news, Brendon's been a good guy on ST and I don't think his performance will drop off this year.

[CapoRocky]

He can play linebacker and guard tight ends like he did in the playoffs.

[ravensfan160]

Now all we need is a good KR/PR.

[RAYvenFan20]

well covering kicks just got better, now if we can just get someone to return them

[CapoRocky]

If Steve Hill can return kicks, then we will be set.

[PurpleCorsair]

I love me some B.A!

[GrimCoconut]

People can say what they want about BA. I may even call him "Brandon" sometimes by mistake (sorry), but he is a Hell of a player on special teams. It makes a lot of sense to bring him back. In many ways, I feel the weakest link for our team was special teams last year.

People can say what they want about KR/PR, but the most important part of teams is the blocking so the returner can make those big plays. It's like the offensive line for the RB or QB. Without the coverage unit blocking for the returner our returner will struggle. I think this is a big reason why David Reed had such a bad year compared to his rookie season.

I think our special teams will be great this year, which will impact the performance of our defense & offense.

And not sure if it was a joke or not, but you do need a good special teams to make it far on the playoffs. Field position is huge.

[MsMarvel73]

Thanks for sticking around, Ayanbagel.

[bMore Heathen]

I was kind of hoping he would be gone. He might have been our best STer, but our STs have been terrible since he got here. Theres probably little chance of McClain coming back now, we don't have any cap room left.

[Bazooka Joe]

I'm convinced that many of guys couldn't be positive on anything. You'd criticize the birth of your own children.

It's depth and non sexy signing like this that strengthen our STs and our overall depth.

We will see an improved ST. Now onto the draft.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

BA was a pretty good linebacker in coverage in addition to being a special teams ace. Good move in shoring up depth behind Ray and improving our special teams play along with the Graham signing since our special teams play wasn't very good.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1332521439' post='1032234']
I'm convinced that many of guys couldn't be positive on anything. [b]You'd criticize the birth of your own children.[/b]

It's depth and non sexy signing like this that strengthen our STs and our overall depth.

We will see an improved ST. Now onto the draft.
[/quote]

Did you just say that some of your fellow Ravens fans would criticize the birth of their own children? and you want to preach positivity? what a stupid post.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' timestamp='1332521439' post='1032234']
I'm convinced that many of guys couldn't be positive on anything. You'd criticize the birth of your own children.
[/quote]

LMAO! So true...

[PurpleDrink]

He's to old....why did they re-sign him again?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='PurpleDrink' timestamp='1332691487' post='1033878']
He's to old....why did they re-sign him again?
[/quote]
Cheap, solid ST, cheap, good leader on teams, can be put in for coverage, cheap, Harbaugh likes him, cheap.

Lol.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='PurpleDrink' timestamp='1332691487' post='1033878']
He's to old....why did they re-sign him again?
[/quote]
he made a good point re the signing of graham, he said teams can no longer double team him anymore now we have graham, so his re signing, grahams addition, and constadine, should greatly improve our weakest link from last year. If we can keep team to around teh 20 on KO returns, and not let much of a punt return back on STs, it will be very hard for teams to mount more than a drive or two on our defense.

Last year they had a lot of good field position which negates our d in way.

Three good signings imo

[CapoRocky]

If Ayanbadejo is too old, then why do teams need to double team him on kickoff and punt coverage? He is one of the strongest players on the Ravens. I've often read about how he "lives" in the weight room at the castle.

[JHarris]

Right player at the right price in typical Ravens fashion. BA is a solid leader on ST and good in coverage especially against some of the bigger TEs. He is also a very fan friendly player who regularly engages in conversations with his followers on twitter. With the loss of Zibby and Nakamura it's nice to be able to wrap up one of the few "proud" special teamers.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1332692093' post='1033895']
If Ayanbadejo is too old, then why do teams need to double team him on kickoff and punt coverage? He is one of the strongest players on the Ravens. I've often read about how he "lives" in the weight room at the castle.
[/quote]
yea have you seen him? hes the most ripped player on the team bar none. Imo he wil last a lot longer than ray if he wants to, partly because he obviously doesnt play as much as ray, i would say he has the body and fitness of a 28-30 year old because of that, but also because he looks after himself as well, if not better than ray lewis

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1332693100' post='1033921']
yea have you seen him? hes the most ripped player on the team bar none. Imo he wil last a lot longer than ray if he wants to, partly because he obviously doesnt play as much as ray, i would say he has the body and fitness of a 28-30 year old because of that, but also because he looks after himself as well, if not better than ray lewis
[/quote]

They are both is great shape. I'm pretty sure that either of them would have made a good partner in a backyard brawl.